Success with the Criminon Programme

“I have gained a better understanding of where I may have gone wrong to send me to prison. I have looked at courses, discussed in many of the Criminon courses how I can handle things in a totally different manner. Personal Integrity course – how to look at relationships. Communication Tools – which discusses how we can communicate successfully with others, which without these skills can lead to misunderstandings and lead to arguments or worse. Understanding & Overcoming Addiction course – though I myself have never taken drugs, my brother has. I feel by doing this course I can learn how to try to advise him to change, to seek the correct help. I have drank excessively in my life, and the course can tell me how to seek help if I ever need help. I thank Criminon sponsors who do not realise just what good they do for prisoners who never would have been given a chance to change. Also for Alison Daniels and her volunteers who make change possible.”

R.Y., HMP Full Sutton

“I have achieved so many things money can never buy. I have learnt how to relate to people in a good and exemplary way. To be as honest as possible in all dealings with both my family and the outside world. I have learnt to be contented with whatever I have and not to look at other’s success to pull myself into trouble in life. I have learnt to deal with my children making them my best friend, teaching them through the right path in life and show them the difference between good and bad behaviours and the eventual result. However, of all my life has changed and I am living a happier life and I believe when I’m out of prison next year I will be more happier. Thank you and God bless your team.” B.O., HMP The Mount

Interview with two very different Criminon graduates.

The first is Ian, 38 years old now living in Bristol.

Can you tell me how you ended up going to prison?
I was on drugs and robbing to pay for them. I had been in prison before and now I had just given up on life.

"After completing my final Criminon course, I never expected to hear from them again, out of sight out of mind right?

Well I was very pleasantly surprised to hear from my local co-ordinator about a year and a half ago. She offered support in any way possible, and offered unconditional friendship that is so rare to prisoners.

"Since starting this course, I have a completely different outlook on life, things you take for granted in everyday life, yet fail to fully understand. I know fully understand why I am in prison, and with the help and guidance of this book and The Way to Happiness Course, I fully intend upon my release not to return to prison, but to lead a happy life for my family and friends and myself. This is all down to Criminon, and showing me the real concept of life. For that I am extremely grateful. You have changed my life certainly for the better. For that I thank you." C.S., HMP Armley

"The Personal Integrity Course has opened my eyes more to the fact that I have not been truthful with myself which means I've not been truthful to my friends and loved ones and cannot hide my attempts to justify things I have done in my lifetime.

"What I have found out is clear to me. In near future my kids will get fair treatment and understanding with me and their mother. Before I don't know anything about children, how to control them and live with them. But yet I got the experience of doing so, by doing the Successful Parenting Skills Course. I learnt the do's and don'ts of the children's daily life tackle, how their problems will deal with and to be good father near future. So I will be happy to let any man to do this course until he get out from cell. And it need much time, with reading, understanding with the course materials. So this is my little advice to every nice man. I happy to my success be publish out."
H.H. HMP Whatton

"As always Criminon Volunteers enable you to study with ease, as the materials are self-explanatory, accessible and postage paid. Encouragement is there and praise is given, although this is earned. By completing the Learning Skills for Life Course I have been encouraged to visit the Education Department to apply for education. My reading has also improved as I enjoy it more by deciphering words in novels and newspapers, which enables me to understand articles better."
M.C., H.M.P. Peterhead

"I have really enjoyed the Handling Suppression Course because it has taught me a lot about others and myself. This course has given me a lot of insight into how an anti-social personality operates and conducts himself and the effects he can have on me and others. I have learned how to handle or disconnect from anti-social personalities and it has helped me to be much more positive and happy in myself.

"I found this course very examining! It's extremely useful when testing one's own skills or abilities. Many prisoners exaggerate their own abilities while inside these institutions. Yet the Conditions of Life course enables the most resolute person to help themselves out of such situations. It helps prisoners grasp that it is their duty to show willing and make progressions on their own. To take responsibilities of their actions (to impute one's self). It's high time these courses were "inaugurated" (Introduced) to prisons/prisoners all over the UK (Continent). Such "self referred" courses give good incentives to prisoners. It's a pity that our justice system doesn't realise Criminon UK's potential."  T.S. HMP Littlehey

"I have taken part in many drug courses, and can honestly say this one has given me a greater understanding of the causes and effects drugs has on the user. It has also given me the tools and confidence to apply this information in a positive way. One of the biggest pluses I have been given from this course has nothing to do with the course itself, it has been the fact the people I have been dealing with, are all volunteers and have given me help and advice. My faith in man has been slightly restored, and I have been humbled by the experience. I don't know what drives such people, but they have my utmost respect."
S.W.Reid, HMP Dovegate

"My name is Pete. At this time (April 2002) I am 38 and have been in prison for 5 years, give or take a couple of months. I became aware of the Criminon Programme in 1998 and have been doing the courses on offer ever since.

I am in prison for some horrendously violent offences. In fact violence and aggression were my mainstays in life as I saw things then. I hid my anxieties, fears, hopes and misgivings behind violence, as others use drugs, alcohol and other crimes to hide.